The air force is getting closer to targets that use laser weapons to equip fighters, with testers at the white sands missile range successfully shooting down air-launched missiles using the SHiELD. While the SHiELD is currently a ground behemoth, the final technology is supposed to be portable and can be installed on aircraft to protect them from attack.
While the technology won’t be seen in the air for a while, the air force has only awarded a contract to lockheed Martin in 2017 and won’t begin its first air test until sometime in 2021. It may be some time before the system is operational.
If the technology works as envisaged, it could have a huge impact on combat aircraft. The lasaer pointer is not an assault weapon, at least not yet. Instead, it will be used to shoot down missiles (air-to-air and surface-to-air). As long as nothing interferes with the laser, the aircraft will be almost impervious to missile attacks, but the weather could potentially affect its effectiveness.